Better Streets newsletter - April 2024

Hi ,

Despite the (supposed) arrival of autumn, the weather is still warm in many parts of the country. Perhaps you were able to take advantage of this, right before the end of daylight saving in the southern states, to get out and enjoy your town or city over the Easter weekend. If not, there are plenty of other opportunities to do so, with Eid festivities, school holidays and ANZAC Day commemorations all upcoming!

This newsletter reports on activities in Victoria, NSW and nationally. If there are great things going on where you are that you'd like the rest of the country to know about, please drop us a line - we'd love for a future newsletter to feature the moves in your neighbourhood toward better streets!

INTERNATIONAL

2WalkandCycle Conference 2024

Lots to learn from our Kiwi neighbours about youth engagement, first nations-led design and how to deliver a cycle network fast, at the 2WalkAndCycle conference in Wellington on 18-19 March. Keynote speakers Janette Sadik-Khan (former transport commissioner of NYC) and Salvador Rueda (Superblocks). More info here.

NATIONAL

Austroads seeking input into Safe Active Travel to School guidance

Are you experienced, knowledgable in Safe Active Travel to school and can contribute to developing a best practice guidance for Australia? Austroads is seeking input into its best-practice guidance on safe routes to school - details here or each out to the Project Manager, Clare Huggins. More details here.

NEW SOUTH WALES

A invitation from Canterbury Bankstown Council to have your say on the city's future priorities through its draft Advocacy Strategic Plan and Advocacy Priorities. Future transport is explicitly named as one of the city's challenges, as it continues to grow. The consultation period closes on Monday 15 April.

Three new active transport-related consultations in the City of Parramatta:

The 6km Toongabbie to Westmead pedestrian and cycle corridor, linking local stations, schools and amenities including the Parramatta Aquatic Centre: submissions close on Tuesday 30 April.
Wilderline (the former T6 rail line) to Duck River (M4 shared path) pedestrian and cycle path: submissions close on Tuesday 30 April.
Bennelong Parkway Bridge and Paths, a key missing pedestrian and cycle link in the Homebush Bay Circuit: submissions close on Monday 6 May.

North Sydney Council is refreshing its cycling strategy and developing a new action plan to encourage more people to ride bikes. More details here - consultations close on Sunday 12 May.

Australian Capital Territory

ACT held its first Sustainable Travel Street Party in an inner city suburb on the afternoon of 24 March 2024. It was a a free, family-friendly street party organised by ACT Government’s City Renewal Authority to celebrate and encourage active and sustainable travel in Canberra.

Living Streets Canberra reports that this activity helped them to more progress as a group and achieved more community conversations and signups than in their whole history. Stall neighbours and friends Braddon Collective hosted an engaging and helpful activity: an aerial photo + sticky notes to help people have their say on what is needed to improve active travel in the suburb of Braddon. This video shows a little of the vibe: link

VICTORIA

A big welcome to new coalition member Moonee Valley Sustainability! Their launch event, on Saturday 20 April, aims to kick start action on active transport in the area.

Weekly get together

For those based in Sydney an in-person weekly get together to say hi, exchange ideas, keep track of our activities and keep motivating each other.

Wednesday - 6pm - The Strawberry Hills Hotel, 453 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills (near Central, map) upstairs (Accessible entry available.)

More details

Thank you for your unwavering support as we continue to create better streets for all!